Haslla Art World, a 100,000-pyeong Artistic Landscape Open to the East Sea

100,000 Pyeong Developed Since 2003: Why “Haslla,” the Old Name of Gangneung, Was Chosen

Haslla Art World is a multifaceted art space built in the mountains of Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, overlooking the East Sea directly. According to its official introduction, a sculptor couple opened the space in 2003 and has continued to present contemporary art exhibitions and operate an international residency program. The entire site covers approximately 100,000 pyeong. Its key feature is that it is not simply an art museum with separate indoor galleries; instead, the mountain slopes, pine trees, and sea views are designed as part of the experience of appreciating the artworks.

“Haslla” is known as the place name used to refer to Gangneung during the Goguryeo period. Thus, the name represents more than a simple brand: it is a choice to attach Gangneung’s old place name to a contemporary art space. The Haslla International Residency, which has continued since 2005, aims to foster exchanges with overseas artists, curators, and planners, and also helped create the current structure, in which rotating special exhibitions are presented alongside permanent displays.

A 90-Minute Route Starting with Contemporary Art Museums 1, 2, and 3 and the Pinocchio Museum

A standard admission ticket generally covers the Contemporary Art Museum, the Pinocchio and Marionette Museum, the Outdoor Art Museum, and the Sculpture Park. Visitors who want to see the Ocean Square Hall should check on the booking page whether an all-inclusive ticket is available. The official website lists Contemporary Art Museum Galleries 1, 2, and 3, the Abiji Special Gallery, the Pinocchio Marionette Museum, the Skywalk, and Ocean Square as separate spaces.

A January 2025 visit report from the Government Policy Briefing stated that seeing the entire site takes approximately one to one and a half hours. However, visitors who move quickly through the indoor exhibitions and skip the climb to the outdoor Sculpture Park may miss the site’s distinctive terrain. On a first visit, it is better to see the indoor exhibitions first and save the Outdoor Sculpture Park and Skywalk for later, taking the weather and sunset time into account.

Open Year-Round from 09:00 to 18:00: Check Ticket Conditions Before You Set Out

According to the official visitor information, the Indoor Art Museum is open every day from 09:00 to 18:00, with no regular closing days. The Outdoor Sculpture Park is separately listed as operating until 18:30 in winter and 19:00 in summer. Therefore, even after the indoor galleries close at 18:00, visitors should check the seasonal closing time for the outdoor areas. The official website is https://www.museumhaslla.com/, and the main telephone number is 033-644-9411.

According to the on-site information introduced in the January 2025 Policy Briefing, general admission was 17,000 won for adults, 13,000 won for teenagers, and 11,000 won for children. The same article stated that advance reservations through the official website received a 2,000-won discount per ticket. However, the coverage of currently available tickets may vary depending on the exhibitions and product packages, so visitors should check whether they are purchasing a standard, combined, or program ticket immediately before payment. Infants 36 months old or younger enter free, and groups of 30 or more receive a 2,000-won-per-person discount on Haslla admission tickets only.

• Seniors and registered national merit honorees: 4,000-won discount for the individual
• Persons with a disability welfare card: 2,000-won discount for the cardholder
• Expectant mothers and one accompanying guardian: 2,000-won discount each; proof of eligibility required
• Arts Pass holders: 2,000-won discount for the passholder
• Refunds due to a change of mind are not available, and discounts cannot be combined

How to Take Buses 111, 112, or 113 from 1441 Yulgok-ro and Enter the Parking Area

The address is 1441 Yulgok-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Enter “Haslla Art World” or this road address into your navigation system. The public transit routes listed in the official information are buses 111, 112, and 113, with Gangneung Intercity and Express Bus Terminal, Sinyeong Theater, and Namdaecheon bus stops given as the main boarding and alighting points. Bus schedules may change seasonally, so it is safest to check the departure times again in the Gangneung bus information app on the day of travel.

By car, the official website recommends approaching from Gangneung IC or Namgangneung IC toward Jeongdongjin. A January 2025 article in the Policy Briefing reported that there is an on-site parking area directly in front of the building and that signs are installed from the parking lot to the ticket office. However, the official information does not clearly state whether the lot fills up on weekends or during peak season, nor does it specify parking fees. Since the fee information is unavailable, it is best to confirm by calling 033-644-9411 before departure.

Seongseong Broadleaf Trail, Pine Tree Garden, and Skywalk: Visit the East Sea Outdoor Areas Before Sunset

The outdoor areas include Seongseong Broadleaf Trail, Pine Tree Garden, Plaza of Time, Play Garden, Sea Garden, and Sky Observatory. A January 2025 visit report highlighted the route through Seongseong Broadleaf Trail and Pine Tree Garden toward the top of the Sculpture Park, as well as the sea-facing Skywalk and the circular frame in front of the Pinocchio Museum. If you plan to go outdoors after seeing the indoor exhibitions, it is best to begin the Sculpture Park section at least 40 minutes before sunset.

Ocean Square Café is located within the Sculpture Park and is officially listed as open from 09:00 to 18:00. After 17:00, the closing time may vary depending on circumstances. A January 2025 visit report listed a hot Americano at 5,000 won and an iced Americano at 5,500 won, but menus and prices may change, so visitors should rely on the menu displayed on-site.

Strollers, Wheelchairs, and Pets: What to Consider in an Art Museum with Many Stairs

The official information states that the many stairs between floors may make the use of strollers and wheelchairs inconvenient. Therefore, checking the route is especially important for wheelchair users who need to move through the entire site without difficulty, companions who have trouble using stairs, and families with large strollers. Information about the extent of elevators and ramps, wheelchair rentals, accessible restrooms, and foreign-language assistance is not available on the official page, so visitors should inquire by telephone before visiting.

Pets are allowed, but they must be carried indoors. A January 2025 review in the Policy Briefing reported that pets must also be carried along the outdoor passage from the ticket office to the Pinocchio Museum. Considering both artwork protection and movement on stairs, the site may not be suitable for travelers with large dogs that are difficult to carry for extended periods.

When Pairing It with Jeongdongjin Beach, Save Haslla for the Afternoon Rather Than the Morning

Haslla Art World is approximately 1.9 km from Jeongdongjin Beach, making it easy to combine with an itinerary covering Jeongdongjin, Anin, and the southern Gangneung coast. However, indoor viewing, the hilly Sculpture Park, and time at the café together require around 90 minutes. In practical terms, it may be better either to enter immediately after sunrise at the beach or to schedule the visit for the afternoon if you want to enjoy views of the East Sea. The Outdoor Sculpture Park is open until 19:00 in summer, but the Indoor Art Museum closes at 18:00.

A January 2025 Policy Briefing review covered the indoor exhibitions, outdoor Sculpture Park, and café, and noted that the signs from the parking lot to the ticket office were easy to see. By contrast, the restrictions clearly stated in the official information concern the multiple flights of stairs and the way pets must be transported indoors. Rather than planning only a short, photo-focused visit, first decide which exhibition areas are covered by your ticket, the seasonal closing time for the outdoor areas, and whether everyone in your group can manage the stairs. This will reduce scheduling errors.